Development leaders laud HQ expansion for organization that opens workforce to Kansas Citians with autism 

A new multimillion-dollar, 80,000-square-foot headquarters along Kansas City’s Brush Creek marks a major milestone for Behavioral Health Allies, strengthening the organization’s workforce training efforts and its belief in the potential for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, officials said Wednesday.

“This expansion is exactly the kind of investment Kansas City needs,” said Tracey Lewis, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), which partnered with the City of Kansas City, Missouri to advance the project at 4400 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and align it with local workforce and community priorities.

“[The project] creates opportunity, strengthens services for our workforce, and delivers real impact for families,” he added. “Behavioral Health Allies addresses a critical community need, providing vital support to families and creating meaningful career pathways in behavioral health. We are proud to stand with them as they scale their mission in the heart of Kansas City.”

As part of the project, the company utilized the City’s Enhanced Enterprise Zone program.

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A grand opening event Wednesday celebrated the ability for Behavioral Health Allies to advance its work in Kansas City and beyond as the region experiences heightened demand for specialized services.

“This new headquarters is so much more than a building. It is a place where people can grow, learn, and live,” said Erin Wiercinski, CEO of Behavioral Health Allies. “By expanding our footprint in Kansas City, we are not only bringing new jobs to the community but also creating a space of hope for families who have often felt they had nowhere else to turn.”

The new 80,000-square-foot for Behavioral Health Allies at 4400 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Kansas City’s 3rd District; photo courtesy of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City

Founded in Kansas City, Behavioral Health Allies provides a continuum of services including an early intervention clinic for children with autism, an academy for school age students, and a community living division that operates 26 residential homes across the metro area. In addition to serving families locally, BHA partners with more than 40 school districts in the region and increasingly welcomes families from across the country seeking specialized services. 

“Too often, individuals with disabilities and significant behavioral needs are forgotten or given up on. Here, they will find a place they can be proud of, where dignity is honored, potential is nurtured, and every person has the opportunity to thrive,” said Wiercinski. “This project reflects our core values of innovation, compassion, and advocacy, and we are grateful to Kansas City for welcoming us as we work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community.” 

The new space not only expands care options but also creates new workforce opportunities in behavioral health, clinical care, and community living support. Behavioral Health Allies will begin operations at the new site in the coming weeks. 

Its opening will provide relief to families impacted by autism and developmental disabilities who typically face long waitlists and limited resources, said Ryana Parks-Shaw, mayor pro tem and 5th District KCMO councilmember,. 

“This expansion by Behavioral Health Allies is a powerful response to that unmet need, providing vital services right here in our community and offering families hope, support, and a path forward,” she said.